Letters to the editor: July 7

Published: Monday, July 8, 2013 at 9:25 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 8, 2013 at 9:25 a.m.

People, not guns, kill

To the editor: This is in response to the May 25 “Guns do kill” letter. Vic questioned my statement that knives kill more people. If you include machetes, and count the whole world, it isn’t even close. More people have died by knives (huge numbers in Africa) and more maimed, too. Guns, knives and arrows were invented to kill game for food, though they were and are often used for defense. Restricting guns won’t stop a nut who wants to kill. They don’t follow laws.

Let us concentrate on those who use the weapons, not the weapons themselves. I was at a gun show selling my books and never felt safer. Why? Because it would take a complete idiot to try something there, and if they did, they’d have been put down in the blink of an eye.

Maybe Vic doesn’t worry about some nut driving a car, but I would! These are all just objects, which can be used for good or evil. If he or anyone else wants to decrease violence, worry about improving our decaying society.

Boycott movies and TV shows that have violence without consequences. These encourage people toward mindless violence more than objects ever could.

STEPHEN JONES

Hendersonville

Delete Doonesbury

To the editor: The Doonesbury “funnies” in today’s T-N is especially awful. Yes, I understand that you print it on your editorial page because it is not a “comic.” I assume that you print it because it reflects the T-N editorial/ political position. How sad. It is, to say the least, extreme and usually bends the truth and reality. My recommendation/ request is to discontinue it.

JACK SWANSON

Hendersonville

Donate to help needy

To the editor: This past weekend, I noticed a sign along the road for a business called “needful things.” At first, my mind flashed back to a rather disturbing movie of that name that centered on the evil nature in us all. But I was also reminded that we all shine most when our hearts and minds turn to helping and nurturing those who are the most needy in our community.

In the Etowah community, one such shining light is the Annual Flea Market that takes place the first Saturday in August on the grounds of the Etowah United Methodist Church. This giant one-day flea market turns so many donated “used-but still-useful” household items — from antiques, toys, household appliances, craft materials and hardware to furniture, refrigerators and more — into funds that reach those in most need. Right now, donations of items other than clothing and a few other exceptions are being accepted every Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the pavilion behind that church on Brickyard Road off of Route 64.

This is one way that “needful things” turn into blessings for those most in need. For more information about accepted items, call Ken Campbell at 891-2162.

DICK RANGES

Etowah

Worried about Scalia

To the editor:I’m worried about Justice Scalia. I’m wondering whether Justice Scalia is showing symptoms of dementia or whether his actions are just plain old hypocrisy.

Take, for example, his scathing dissent on the DOMA decision, which he based on the principle of respect for the other branches of government. Here, Scalia railed against the court for overturning the will of the people, expressed through legislation that was passed by Congress and signed by then President Clinton. And that’s why I’m worried.

You see, Scalia forgot that he had sided with the majority in overturning provisions in the 1965 Voter Rights Act, just one day earlier. The Voter Rights Act was reauthorized by Congress in 2006, almost unanimously, and then signed by then President Bush.

In fact, almost everything he stated in his dissent of DOMA contradicts his stand on the Voter Rights Act.

<p>People, not guns, kill</p><p>To the editor: This is in response to the May 25 “Guns do kill” letter. Vic questioned my statement that knives kill more people. If you include machetes, and count the whole world, it isn't even close. More people have died by knives (huge numbers in Africa) and more maimed, too. Guns, knives and arrows were invented to kill game for food, though they were and are often used for defense. Restricting guns won't stop a nut who wants to kill. They don't follow laws.</p><p>Let us concentrate on those who use the weapons, not the weapons themselves. I was at a gun show selling my books and never felt safer. Why? Because it would take a complete idiot to try something there, and if they did, they'd have been put down in the blink of an eye.</p><p>Maybe Vic doesn't worry about some nut driving a car, but I would! These are all just objects, which can be used for good or evil. If he or anyone else wants to decrease violence, worry about improving our decaying society.</p><p>Boycott movies and TV shows that have violence without consequences. These encourage people toward mindless violence more than objects ever could.</p><p>STEPHEN JONES</p><p>Hendersonville</p><p>Delete Doonesbury</p><p>To the editor: The Doonesbury “funnies” in today's T-N is especially awful. Yes, I understand that you print it on your editorial page because it is not a “comic.” I assume that you print it because it reflects the T-N editorial/ political position. How sad. It is, to say the least, extreme and usually bends the truth and reality. My recommendation/ request is to discontinue it.</p><p>JACK SWANSON</p><p>Hendersonville</p><p>Donate to help needy</p><p>To the editor: This past weekend, I noticed a sign along the road for a business called “needful things.” At first, my mind flashed back to a rather disturbing movie of that name that centered on the evil nature in us all. But I was also reminded that we all shine most when our hearts and minds turn to helping and nurturing those who are the most needy in our community.</p><p>In the Etowah community, one such shining light is the Annual Flea Market that takes place the first Saturday in August on the grounds of the Etowah United Methodist Church. This giant one-day flea market turns so many donated “used-but still-useful” household items — from antiques, toys, household appliances, craft materials and hardware to furniture, refrigerators and more — into funds that reach those in most need. Right now, donations of items other than clothing and a few other exceptions are being accepted every Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the pavilion behind that church on Brickyard Road off of Route 64.</p><p>This is one way that “needful things” turn into blessings for those most in need. For more information about accepted items, call Ken Campbell at 891-2162.</p><p>DICK RANGES</p><p>Etowah</p><p>Worried about Scalia</p><p>To the editor:I'm worried about Justice Scalia. I'm wondering whether Justice Scalia is showing symptoms of dementia or whether his actions are just plain old hypocrisy.</p><p>Take, for example, his scathing dissent on the DOMA decision, which he based on the principle of respect for the other branches of government. Here, Scalia railed against the court for overturning the will of the people, expressed through legislation that was passed by Congress and signed by then President Clinton. And that's why I'm worried.</p><p>You see, Scalia forgot that he had sided with the majority in overturning provisions in the 1965 Voter Rights Act, just one day earlier. The Voter Rights Act was reauthorized by Congress in 2006, almost unanimously, and then signed by then President Bush.</p><p>In fact, almost everything he stated in his dissent of DOMA contradicts his stand on the Voter Rights Act.</p><p>Dementia or hypocrisy — you be the judge.</p><p>TOM MATTHEWS</p><p>Hendersonville</p>